The Fenrir leaned his forehead forward as he closed his eyes, the mark on his head started to glow as Alice stared in awe before she closed her eyes on instinct as the Fenrir pressed their foreheads together as the mark glowed brightly and the contract has been formed between them, a mark on Alice's shoulder in the Fenrir's silhouette appeared under her clothes.
Once it was established, the Fenrir pulled back as Alice stared at the white aura that surrounded her. She can feel an immense amount of power coming from the Fenrir.
"The familiar contract has been established." He said as the white aura dissipated as she turned looked at him as he lay down like a feline on the ground.
"And now, you are tasked with giving me a name." He told her and she realized that it was like naming Pokémon with nicknames.
"Uh, let's see." Alice soon started to try and list off any names that are for some of the canine Pokémon back home but maybe she should have a little fun as payback for how he demanded more of the Ginger-Fried Red Boar.
"Poochie?" She suggested and had to keep herself from laughing at how he wrinkled his snout. He didn't like that one and it was short for Poochyena!
"If you're mocking me, I'm not amused." He said with an unamused look as he threw her Eevee and Bolt a look but they were downright laughing on her behalf. Even Lucario was trying not to laugh but his shoulders were shaking.
"Back to the drawing board then. Grumpup... Howlster... Growly!" She suggested three other names as she turned to him but he disliked each one which made Eevee and Bolt to laugh even more.
"Where I come from, those are all some of the nicknames for Pokémon or dog-like Pokemon." She told him, not letting his annoyed look intimidate her one bit.
"Do you think of me to be a dog or a Pokémon as you said it?!" He exclaimed in annoyance as she just crossed her arms as Iron Will watched in disbelief as she just stood there, not flinching from his shouting.
"Jeez, take it down a notch if you don't like them." She told him firmly as Alice stared at him more closely. He is a Fenrir after all. Something that rolls off the tongue easily?
"Right." She finally had a name in mind as she smiled.
"Since you're a Fenrir, so how about Fel?" She suggested. The name is perfect for a creature like him alright.
The Fenrir, now named Fel, looked curious at the name. It was not bad. Simple yet elegant and rolls off the tongue easily. He nodded, accepting the name.
"Fel, eh? Not bad. I'll take it." He said with a satisfied smile and Eevee and Bolt jumped on Alice's shoulders with Lucario standing next to her, looking at who would be their new friend, ally and family.
[Name] Alice Greenflower
[Age] 17
[Job] Accidental Otherworlder, Pokémon Researcher
[Level] 1 [Strength] 100
[Magic] 100 [Defense] 80
[Attack] 78 [Agility] 75
[Skill] Appraise, Item Box
[Familiars] Fel the Fenrir
[Unique Skill] Online Grocery
The next day, they had set off onwards to the border to reach Veenan but there was a bit of a problem. Fel was catching the attention of other travelers who were moving out of the way of Alice, Eevee, Fel and Iron Will.
"Come on, let's go this way. Hurry."
This made Werner sighed wearily, knowing the reaction of other travelers were valid but it made him feel bad as the other members of Iron Will were nervous around their new addition too as Alice looked to him worriedly.
"Hey, is something wrong, Werner?" She asked him in concern as he turned to her.
"It's just, we're almost at the border and I'm still not sure what to do." He told her worriedly which made Alice worry but she can already guess what or rather who.
"About what?" She decided to ask, already knowing the answer.
"This is pointless." Vincent said, putting an arm on her shoulder as she looked at him.
"They're gonna stop us at the checkpoint for sure." He said as Fel was listening to their conversation silently as Rita looked at them.
"It's quite possible." She said as she eyed Fel before looking at Alice.
"I mean, after all, there is that legend about a Fenrir destroying a whole country." She said but Franka disagreed.
"I wouldn't really call it a legend. It's more of a historical fact." She said as Alice was in awe but not surprised. There were similar events back in her world, especially that entire battle on Hoenn that was caused by Team Aqua and Team Magma when they woke up Kyogre and Groudon and she heard that a trainer went to a tower to call for Rayquaza for help.
"Even if we do get past the border, Alice's familiar contract with that Fenrir is a problem." Werner voiced his worries as Eevee squeaked in concern from her spot on Fel as she was riding on his head which was pretty cute on Alice's part.
"The higher-ups in the Kingdom of Veenan are going to be all over it." He explained which made Alice worry. She hoped they wouldn't get into trouble.
'I went to all the trouble of leaving Reijseger specifically to avoid getting involved in political machinations and now this?' She thought worriedly.
Eevee sensed her trainer's worry and pawed Fel's head tentatively as he glanced at the little cub who was looking at Alice in worry. He had heard his new master's worry and it made him hum. So she wished to avoid any involvement with the political squabbles from the nobles huh? He approached her as Eevee jumped on Alice's head which caused her to look up at her and to Fel.
"Please, you needn't worry." He told her.
"If anything should stand in your path, I shall take care of it personally." Fel soon bared his fangs growling, showing that he was serious while Alice just smiled at the gesture. She was starting to see him more of a guardian and friend as well as glutton or foodie around her meals while Iron Will looked worried.
"And by take care of it, you mean..." Alice trailed off, knowing how this world was much different from hers as Fel soon stopped growling as he looked to Alice expectantly.
"More importantly, when might I expect my lunch to be served?" He asked her as Alice snorted. Of course he'd want to eat lunch soon.
They went to a clearing not too far for Alice to start cooking as she checked her item box and frowned worriedly as she took the one remaining piece of meat from the Red Boar.
'Not good. Iron Will's red boar meat reserves are running pretty low. What am I gonna do? This won't be enough to feed all of us.' Alice thought worriedly before Fel's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she looked at him.
"Hey, just to be clear, I desire meat." He told her which made her roll her eyes but she looked at him.
"Well, yeah. We're out of meat because you've been constantly demanding it, Fel." She said firmly in a scolding tone but not too harshly before she pointed to the forest.
"If you need a large amount that badly, go hunt some down." She told him as Fel looked at her as Eevee squeaked curiously, tail wagging at Fel as he hummed. He looked at the small amount of meat that his new master has and at the older humans with them. It won't feed all of them.
"Hmm, a reasonable point." He agreed without protest.
"Wait here, I shall return shortly." Fel said before he turned towards the forest and ran in as Iron Will watched him disappear into the forest as Alice smiled.
They weren't gonna leave him behind plus she figured that with him being a legendary monster from what Ramon had told her when the others were asleep, Fel is a powerful one and could easily take down any monster below his rank and him hunting down some monsters like the Red Boar can help with the meat situation.
Werner was surprised as he looked at Alice who wasn't worried the least.
"Hey, Alice, you can use as much of our meat as you want, really." Werner told her as she looked at him in confusion and saw the nervous look in his eyes.
"You're too kind, Werner, but I'm only having him provide his own ingredients." She reassured him and Iron Will was so moved by her thoughtfulness. Letting the Fenrir hunt for his own meat so she can cook it was something but they were moved. She sure is a strange yet surprising girl.
"Incredible! You're powerful enough to give orders to a Fenrir!" Rita exclaimed in awe as Alice smiled sheepishly. More like telling him, not ordering Fel.
"Wow, my hero!" Vincent admired her.
"I'm pretty sure he's only doing it because he likes my cooking. He's basically an oversized glutton." Alice said, joking at the last part. She'll still compare Fel to a Snorlax no doubt.
Eevee's ears perked up and she looked over, tail wagging excitedly just as something was dropped nearby and Alice looked over to see that Fel was back but what he brought made her gape in disbelief with Iron Will was in shock. Is that an avian type of monster?! It's practically the size of a Pidgeot or a Dodrio!
"There, now cook it." Fel said impatiently which made Alice's fingers twitch. She is so going to teach him that patience is needed when cooking.
Werner approached it and immediately recognized it for what monster it was.
"This is a rockbird." He said in awe as Alice looked at him.
"A rockbird?" She asked curiously.
"Yes, a B-rank monster. If we all work together and got lucky, we might be able to take one down." He explained as Alice hummed. So monsters have a ranking depending on the type they are and how hard they are to take down.
"Its claws and beak fetch a hefty price at market." Ramon speculated as Alice hummed. Sure she can cook this but not like this with how it was freshly hunted and still covered in feathers, insides and everything that she doesn't need.
"I can't do anything with it like this, Fel. If they're willing to butcher it for us..." She told him as Franka, Vincent and Rita checked the Rockbird out in awe at how big it was and how Fel easily hunted one down.
"Can I let them have any leftover parts?" Alice asked him.
"As long as I feast on the meat, I care not." He told her. He doesn't care about the outside parts that Adventurers gained after hunting a monster, all he wanted was to taste the cooking of this human girl again.
The one from last night was definitely Red Boar but he wondered what dish she'll make using Rockbird.
That answer satisfied Alice as she nodded before she addressed the three to give them the green light to process it.
"It's a plan, then! Thanks in advance, everyone!" She told them and the trio immediately got to work with removing the parts they're going to sell. It wasn't long until Alice obtained a new meat source as she set it down on the chopping board.
She had put the rest of the Red Boar meat back into her item box. The Rockbird meat was cleaned and thoroughly prepared for cooking as she had an idea in mind on what to make.
'Since we're eating poultry, which means...' She took out another sauce after getting one from the online grocery but this time, it's Teriyaki sauce as Eevee sat by her feet to watch her cook.
She set the piece of Rockbird meat on the heated pan with vegetable oil as it started to sizzle.
'Pan fry each side till golden. Then soak up any extra oil.' She used a specialized tissue between the chopsticks to soak up the extra oil before she added the sauce to the pan and used it to coat the meat.
'Finally, camelize the meat in the sauce.' She used a spoon to scoop some of the sauce before she poured it down on the meat and before she knew it, she was done.
"And it's done!" Alice smiled as the smell caught everyone's attention excitedly. It smells great!
{Rockbird-Terayaki and Onion Soup}
Alice distributed the first batch to Iron Will first as they handed the plates to each other before they started to eat.
"Enjoy. There's soup as well." She said with a smile as she handed them mugs of the soup before Fel came up behind her. Where was his share?
"Hey, you there, where's my serving?" He questioned her as she looked to him as Iron Will got their share first.
"You eat the largest portion, Fel, so I need to take care of everyone else first." She told him patiently. She had made Eevee hers last which still left a lot for Fel to eat once she cooked it.
"You're next, though. Don't worry." Alice reassured him as Fel moved to lay down to wait.
"Very well." He agreed and Alice couldn't help but cooed in her mind at how he was practically loafing a bit. He looks so cute like that.
'So I made a Fel-sized helping of Rockbird Terayaki. Which amounted to... pretty much the entire rest of the bird.' Alice had cooked him a large portion of the entire Rockbird that was left but she made sure she had some for herself as she smiled, seeing the content look on Fel's face as he licked his chomps happily. He had enjoyed the lunch very much.
After lunch and resuming their travel, they had finally reached their destination as Alice breathed in awe. They were almost to the border and a wall was between Reijseger and Veenan acting as a border. She had recalled Eevee into her Poke Ball earlier and had let out Absol who was surprised by the new surroundings but understood as he walked diligently beside Alice.
Fel was surprised by the appearance of another creature since he had watched his new master using these strange red and white orbs that were small at first but grew to fit a hand. Alice briefly explained to Iron Will that Absol isn't gonna hurt them and is friendly. They took her word for it but Fel is a bit wary as he stood behind his master or mistress? Should he call her mistress instead then?
Absol sensed something was wrong as he glanced at Alice who noticed his change in behavior and nodded. She knows when Absol senses something and he has never gotten wrong before. Fel noticed the interaction and was curious and Alice sensed his confusion and turned to him.
"Absol can sense when something isn't right." She told him briefly as Werner gave her his telescope to borrow and she used it to see what's going on.
"Look at that. There sure are a lot of soldiers running around." Alice said and she could guess why when she saw how the soldiers seemed to be panicking and telling travellers or asking them questions.
"That's because Lord Fel is with us." Werner told her as she handed the telescope back.
"I'll go on ahead and explain things. Wait here if you would." He said as Alice handed the telescope back as Werner headed down the path to go to the border gate as the others watched.
"Is Werner going to be alright, do you think?" Alice couldn't help but ask, unconsciously petting Absol's soft fur. It was a habit after what she went through and petting something soft helps her.
"I'm sure he'll be able to smooth everything over." Vincent reassured her as she turned to him while Absol and Fel watched the direction Werner went.
"Just as long as nothing bad ends up happening." She said, a bit worried as everyone turned to her.
When Werner gave them the signal, they headed for the border wall but were immediately surrounded by the soldiers and someone who seemed to be the captain with Werner looking worried as Alice and the rest of Iron Will raised their hands in a peaceful gesture as Fel was standing behind Alice and Absol stood by her side.
The soldiers were holding their spears at the ready due to the sight of Fel and she couldn't help but feel a bit protective over her first familiar.
"So is it true, then?" The captain addressed Alice.
"Have you and this Fenrir formed a familiar contract with each other?" He asked her and Alice had to fight back an annoyed look. That Fenrir is her familiar and he has a name.
"Yes, it's the truth." Alice said, deciding to be honest to hopefully ease their worry and fear.
That answer shocked the soldiers and captain. A Familiar Contract was something they have learned but to actually see it in front of their eyes especially with a young girl and a legendary creature was shocking.
"I see." The captain said, still shocked but there was the situation about Fel being a danger.
"A Fenrir could easily bring destruction upon our country and people. Under no circumstances can that be allowed to-" Alice listened attentively and and already got the gist of it. Fel is a legendary and powerful creature.
"One moment, please." She interrupted much to his confusion but she turned her attention to Fel.
"Fel, it looks like they're concerned because you're a legendary monster. They're afraid that you'll cause trouble if they let you in. But you would never do that. I mean, I know you wouldn't but would you?" She explained as Fel looked to her, listening to her reason and knew the reason but he wasn't like those more dangerous than him but he was a bit surprised that she knew that he wouldn't do such a thing. This human was getting more and more interesting.
"Honestly, what kind of mindless beast do you take me for anyway?" He questioned her with a small huff before he addressed the humans around them.
"I will not attempt to harm anyone who does not first attempt to harm us. Of that, I give you my solemn word." He promised, which eased everyone slightly but the fact that he spoke human tongue shocked the soldiers.
"Holy crap!"
"It's talking like people!"
"The Fenrir can understand human tongue."
Those comments made Alice sigh slightly in annoyance.
'Honestly, it's not like I'm shocked. Some of my Pokémon can speak through telepathy when they choose to.' Alice thought in her head with an inward roll of her eyes but her thoughts caught Fel's attention. Some of the creatures that she can summon can speak through telepathy?
"Is that acceptable, sir?" Alice asked the chief captain.
The chief captain looked skeptical but the Fenrir spoke true.
"It appears the Fenrir does indeed see itself as your familiar." He said and when he called Fel it made her irk.
'Fel is not an it!' She yelled in her mind, annoyed.
"Very well. You may enter." He said much to everyone's relief. They were granted safe passage to enter Veenan!
Rita and Franka cheered happily while Ramon, Vincent and Werner all sighed in relief while Alice's shoulders slumped slightly in relief. She was glad that was out of the way.
"But!" Their celebration was cut short as the chief spoke up as they looked at him.
"You'll be expected to keep that Fenrir and that creature of yours on a very tight leash, young lady." He told Alice who was a bit annoyed but she understood.
"Yes, of course, sir." She said before she turned to Fel after giving Absol a small look and he nodded.
"Hear that, Fel?" Alice said as he hummed in confusion.
"Please try to behave while we're here, okay? Or else I'm the one who will be held responsible if you do." She told him as he looked at her.
"Watch yourself." Fel growled slightly but she didn't let him faze her.
"I'm only telling you how it is, you giant fluffball." She told him, fixing a firm and stern look on her face. She's not gonna let him misbehave and she will be entirely responsible for his misbehavior.
"Hey, you better promise to play nice or I'll have no choice but to start withholding your meals." She said firmly which he didn't like. He didn't want to follow the rules but she was firm and her scent spoke the truth. She will do it if he misbehaves and gets her into trouble.
"I mean it." She said and he saw that he was serious.
"Agreed." He begrudgingly agreed.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Werne reassured the chief captain.
"And in all the time he's been traveling with us. He's never gone wild or anything like that." Werner explained further with Rita agreeing.
"Yeah, and besides that, Lord Fel even lets Alice make him hunt for his own food." Rita chimed in. Alice heard that and smiled inwardly. She was only getting Fel to hunt the meat source she needed to cook him his meals after only.
That explanation helped ease the tension a lot more but they were still wary but nevertheless, they were safe to enter Veenan.
"I see." Was all the chief captain said before telling the soldiers to let them pass and they complied, watching as the Fenrir followed the young girl with the weird black and white creature with Iron Will.
Iron Will walked up to a checkpoint gate with silver looking cards in their hands.
"Your guild cards, please." The guard of the checkpoint said as Iron Will showed the guard their guild cards as Alice was confused. Guild cards?
"Miss?" The guard addressed Alice who looked a bit confused and nervous.
"My, uh, guild card? What?" She asked him in confusion.
"If you don't have a guild card, it's five silver coins to enter and four for your familiars." The checkpoint guard explained much to her disbelief. She has to pay in order to enter Veenan?!
Werner noticed the hold-up and mentally slapped himself for not telling Alice about it sooner.
"Sorry, I meant to explain that to you earlier." Werner apologized as Alice took out her pouch and got the right amount of coins for the entry fee. She was a bit confused that the guard called Absol a familiar of hers. Maybe she should let others call her 11 Pokémon that way.
After paying the entry fee, they had finally stepped foot into Veenan.
"We finally made it!" Rita said happily, stretching her arms happily.
"I didn't know what would happen when we got surrounded like that." Vincent admitted, letting out a nervous laugh.
"But hey, it worked out. So, thank you." She told him with a smile as Fel watched the interaction.
"You're welcome, but I'm afraid your problems aren't over quite yet." Werne warned her as she looked at him curiously.
"A Fenrir entering the kingdom is no small matter. It's sure to reach the attention of the ruling Margrave here and after that. It's only a matter of time until the king hears about you." Werner explained much to her displeasure. She needs to put as much distance as she can from Reijseger as much as possible.
"Well, that's alright. I wasn't planning to stay here that long anyway." Alice said as she looked to Fel who caught her gaze as Absol glanced at the Fenrir curiously. So this is his trainer's new...friend?
"Fel and I will figure out what to do next when the time comes." She explained as Werner was surprised. She wasn't gonna stay put and will continue traveling?
"You'll continue traveling?" He asked her in surprise. Usually, youngsters around Alice's age with the exception of Rita would stay put after a long journey but it's like she doesn't want to stay in one place too long unless it's necessary.
"Yeah. I want to see the whole world." Alice said with a determined smile.
'Especially since it's not the world I'm originally from and I've travelled farther than this and this will be a new experience. How cool would it be to journey and travel from place to place again, seeing the sights and making a little money with online grocery for the first time?' She thought excitedly. She had missed the thrill of an adventure despite the things she went through when she was 12.
"In that case, I recommend you register at either the Adventurer's Guild or the Merchant's Guild." Werner suggested as Alice looked at him curiously.
"That way, you won't be charged entry taxes like the one you paid earlier." He explained as Alice thought about it. That sounded like a good idea since he didn't want to pay taxes again and again if she entered new places.
"I see. I'll probably go with the Merchant's Guild then. I figured I'd sell food and ingredients on my travels." She said, still thinking and Werner agreed.
"Good plan." He said as Alice hummed. She's definitely joining the Merchant's Guild but there was still one problem. A huge one.
"But how are you going to butcher all the monsters Lord Fel hunts?" Vincent voiced the main problem.
"They'll be enormous for sure!" Rita agreed with Vincent and they both have a point. She's not as experienced as they are when it comes to hunting monsters since Fel knows which ones to go after but the problem is processing the parts that might fetch a good price and the meat that she'll need to cook meals.
"Join the Adventurer's Guild. They can take care of that for you." Vincent suggested which wasn't a bad idea too.
"That would be nice." Alice said, considering it.
'I'm no Adventurer if you can count journeying through the entire rejoin of Tunod and Johto an adventure. Which is something they don't know yet.' She thought with a hum
"But I'm no adventurer." She said in dismay. She couldn't help but imagine herself in armor and having a weapon which made her snort. Yeah, no way is she wearing heavy armor.
'This is so hard... I wanna sell stuff from the Online Grocery but I need people from the Adventurer's Guild to process the meat Fel hunts...' She said, feeling conflicted. Does joining both guilds legal? Do many do that? Good thing there was one person who has an answer.
"If you're not sure which way to go, you could always join both." Franka recommended helpfully as Alice looked at her in surprise.
"Is that something people are allowed to do?" She asked in surprise yet her tone was hopeful.
"There aren't many who do so, but it is possible." Franka said with a warm smile.
"Take some time to think it over. You can make your decision when we reach town." Ramon said but Alice already knows what to do before they could even do so.
"Right." Alice nodded, thankful that Iron Will helped her make a choice on what to do next, especially the meat problem.
It took them until lunch time to reach the town in the Kingdom of Veenan but there was another problem. An entry fee like at the border checkpoint.
"There's an entry tax to get into the city too?" Alice was in disbelief but it can't be help as she paid the right fee again to enter the town with Iron Will. She needs to find a way to earn some more money again.
'It's a tough world but it can't be helped...' She thought sadly as she put her coin pouch back in her pocket before Absol sensed something and growled slightly, putting a clawed paw in front of Alice who noticed his behavior before someone appeared before her.
"Pardon me, but might you possibly be Lady Alice?" A man asked as he stood in front of her, blocking her path to rejoin Iron Will.
She was already feeling uneasy about this person as he got too close into her personal place as she backed up a bit as Absol positioned himself between Alice and the stranger.
"Good day! I am a servant of Margrave Lindell. My master has heard of your amazing familiar." He introduced himself, grabbing her arm and she tried to pull her arm back but he had a firm grip as Iron Will watched worriedly.
"He would like to extend to you a personal invitation to meet with him at his estate." The stranger said a bit too enthusiastically as Alice tensed slightly which was immediately picked up on by Absol and Fel who was observing what's happening and didn't like it.
'I have no desire to meet that guy.' She thought in annoyance.
"Being in my master's good graces is sure to benefit you." He said but Alice was ready to refuse.
"Oh, no, no. I'm far too insignificant of a person to take up the Margrave's valuable time." She declined as politely as she could, forcing a smile.
"No, no, No don't be silly." The guy insisted and Alice was growing increasingly uncomfortable as Absol tried to nudge her back but the guy still wouldn't let her arm go.
"Sir, I'm sorry but I couldn't possibly." Alice declined again.
"No, no, but I must insist." He said as Alice was trying to free her arm.
Fel had noticed the human male with the reddish brown facial hair and hair had approached his mistress earlier but he could smell ill intent from him even the black and white creature that she had called Absol sensed it too and the Fenrir felt his shackles bristle slightly when the human grabbed the human girl's arm without her consent, insisting that she go and meet the Margrave but he knew better than to trust humans so easily and he won't let humans with evil intentions use his mistress to use him and she is clearly uncomfortable with how she was trying to pull her arm away. He walked towards them, letting his shadow loom over them. The girl had surprise yet relief in her eyes as Absol managed to nudge her away from the man and towards Fel, still standing between her and the man.
"Are you dumb? She's trying to decline your invitation." Fel said, protective over the young human and he could vaguely feel gentle fingers subconsciously touching his fur on his foreleg.
"Ah, the esteemed Fenrir himself!" The human squeaked and Fel had to fight back a smirk when he saw a flash of fear and terror in his eyes but he tried to mask it with politeness but Fel was no fool. He could see the greed in his eyes.
"Yes, uh, would you please come too?" He asked him but Fel merely scoffed. He has much better time than wasting it on some meeting with the Margrave.
"So your master desire my power, is that it?" Fel questioned the human, glancing at Alice to make sure she was okay before looking back at the human, already having seen through the act.
"What's that? Oh no, you misunderstand the situation." The human was making excuses but he won't tolerate it and he's putting his paw down.
"Hear me." He began, a growl escaping him as he stared at the human menacingly.
"Many foolish humans have tried to use me in the past. Care to know what fate befell them?" Fel warned the human who was practically shaking in fear before he bolted away in fear much to Alice's relief as Absol relaxed and gave Fel a respected nod as they watched the man run away in fear from Fel.
"You went too far, fluffball." Was the first thing Alice said but gratitude was in her tone. Fel was confused by the name. She called him a giant fluffball earlier and she called him a fluffball now. What's that about?
"One has to go that far when dealing with humans of his ilk." Fel simply explained, grumbling a bit inwardly. He was expecting at least a thank you.
"But... thank you, Fel." She said sincerely which surprised him as he looked at her as she smiled warmly at him. He tsked and looked away as Iron Will approached them, worried about Alice's well-being.
"Will you be all right, Alice?" Werner asked worriedly, a paternal instinct surging within him for her well-being as she turned to him.
"Most nobles prize their reputation above all." He said and Alice figured as much.
"There's no need to worry. Should they press the matter, we'll respond appropriately." Fel told them as Alice and Absol looked at him.
"It does seem unlikely that the Margrave has enough private soldiers to confront Lord Fel." Franka said as Vincent snickered slightly. She was right.
"Nothing could take him on. Except maybe an ancient dragon." Vincent said and Alice was surprised but not too much but was still surprised. There are dragons here too?
"Dragon?" She asked in surprise and Fel didn't deny it.
"That's true." He said as Alice turned to him.
"It was the only creature capable of fighting me at my level." He told them much to Iron Will's shock as Werner approached Alice.
"Wait, you actually fought one?!" Vincent asked him in shock.
"About 400 years ago." He said truthfully as Rita and Franka were amazed.
"Wow! Wish I could have seen that." Rita said excitedly.
"Listen up, everyone." Werner spoke up. He was standing in front of Alice, Absol and Fel and holding a parchment that had the request for their escort on it.
"Once we have Alice's signature, we'll head to the guild." He told them.
"Right!"
Werner soon turned to Alice and handed her the paper and Alice realized that this was the time they'll say goodbye until they bump into each other again somewhere in the future.
"Sign here to attest that we've finished the job." Werner said as Alice took the request paper. Can she even write the language of this world?
'Sign...' She thought as she was handed a type of ink/charcoal pen to sign her name.
To her surprise, she managed to write her name as if she has been living in this world ever since she was born and it was in the same language as this world.
'I can write in this world's language. Amazing.' Alice thought happily before handing Werner the paper and pen back.
"Well, this is where we part ways. It has truly been a pleasure." Werner said with a smile.
"Thank you for all those delicious meals." Franka said happily.
"The journey was truly wonderful." Ramon agreed warmly.
"I'm very glad to hear that." Alice smiled happily. It has only been a few days and she has already made new friends here along with becoming a master or mistress to a powerful creature.
They soon parted ways as Iron Will waved to them, wishing them luck on their journey.
"See you!"
"Thanks for the food!"
Alice couldn't help but laugh slightly, waving back before she lowered her hand.
"Farewell." She said, smiling at Iron Will who was leaving for the guild. She was gonna miss them but hoped to see them again one day in the future.
She then turned to Fel who looked at her.
"Okay, time to head to the Merchant's Guild." She said as she started to move and if Fel had eyebrows, he would raise one.
"Really? Becoming a merchant?" He asked her in confusion as he followed her and Absol.
They walked through the marketplace where civilians were shocked and in awe as they froze while Alice, Absol and Fel but the sight of Fel was what shocked them as Alice and Fel talked.
"That's my hope. But I plan to register at the Adventurer's Guild as well." She told him.
"As long as you're hunting for your own food, I'm gonna need their help to butcher your kills. And we'll be able to make a living by selling off the leftover parts." She explained with him as he hummed.
"Which I presume that is still okay with you, right?" She asked him. That made huff once more, honestly, who does she take him for? As long as he gets the meat, he doesn't care what she does with the other ones.
"Quite so. As long as I'm being fed delicious meals, of course." He said expectantly which made her smile a bit. Of course he does.
"I gotcha." She reassured him.
After asking directions, they arrived at a building that was said to be the Merchant's Guild and it looked like something from the old times back home in history as they stood in front of it.
"I suppose this must be the Merchant's Guild after asking directions." Alice said, eyeing the building. It was homey from the feel of it.
Alice opened the door and waited for Fel and Absol to enter before they approached the desk as the other guild members and staff stopped what they were doing and froze and gaped in shock and awe at seeing Fel. Looks like she'll have to get used to the gawking soon.
"Oh, uh, hi there." Alice greeted the woman behind the desk sheepishly who was frozen at the sight of Fel who was looking around in curiosity, feeling bored already as Absol sat down beside Alice's legs.
"Hello." The woman, a blonde beauty with blue belle eyes and purple earrings named Michaela greeted her politely but was marveling at Fel. Everyone has heard stories of a legendary monster called a Fenrir and they're seeing one in person and with someone.
"Oh, and how may I be of service?" She said professionally.
"I am here to register." Alice said as Fel lay down to rest while waiting for Alice to finish.
Michaela was still in a bit of a shock but got to work immediately.
"Certainly. Allow me to explain the process." She said helpfully.
She took out a book while explaining the Merchant's Guild workings and how they operate.
"Our guild's not affiliated with a specific country, and a merchant can be one of five ranks. Based on rank, we set your business type and size and your yearly fees." She explained as Alice listened attentively. So she will become a merchant based on what type of merchant she will pick.
"First question; What kind of merchant is it you'd like to be?" Michaela asked Alice as the 17 year old thought of it.
"Well, let's see..." Alice started to think. She doesn't want to stay in one place of course and wants to set up shop somewhere whenever she stops at a town or city.
"A traveling merchant with a food stall?" She said though it sounded more like a question but the woman seemed satisfied.
"Wonderful." She smiled
"Then I believe the lowest rank of iron would be appropriate." She suggested and that was good enough for her as Michaela continued to explain.
"Illegal trade will exile you from the guild. Do take care."
Michaela got to work on the guild card after getting Alice's information and using a wax stamp to officially grant and welcome her as a member of the Merchant's Guild.
"And with that, allow me to represent you with your guild card." Michaela said as she presented Alice her iron guild card.
Alice took it before checking it to make sure it's real and not fake as Fel looked up at the card while Absol yawned. It's real as it can be and she was satisfied that she finally had a way to get income in this world before she remembered. If this is a Merchant's Guild, then maybe she can sell something to make quick cash.
"Oh, yeah." She looked up at Michaela who stared at her curiously.
"Do you buy items here at the guild?" Alice asked her curiously and she smiled.
"We do, depending on the item." She said and Alice immediately knew which items to sell.
"Sounds good. I'll bring my wares tomorrow." She said as Fel sensed that it was time to leave so he got up with Absol following as Alice led the way to the door to leave. Alright, now that her first priority is out of the way, she can register tomorrow for the Adventurer's Guild.
They found an inn that Michaela recommended but sadly monsters weren't allowed inside the inn but there were stables for Fel and Absol to sleep in.
'Turns out monsters aren't allowed in the rooms of the inn.' Alice thought sadly. They should consider letting people with monsters as familiars be in the room since familiars are companions.
She looked to Fel sadly as she petted Absol's head.
"I'm sorry about this, guys." She apologized sincerely.
"Ab Absol." Absol grunted softly, looking at Alice with understanding ruby eyes as Fel looked at her.
"It's no matter." Fel reassured her before he remembered. They hadn't eaten anything for lunch.
"Meanwhile, I've grown quite hungry." He said and Alice realized they had skipped lunch entirely once they had reached town.
"Guess we ended up skipping lunch, didn't we?" Alice said as she looked at the set up tables by the stables and smiled.
"Well, how about we have an early dinner?" She suggested.
This will also be the first time Absol will be eating the meal of this world plus she can safely use the berries from her world to see what effects it will have. She just hopes they're safe for Fel to consume.
She took out her utensils and the remaining Red Boar meat as she sliced it evenly for Fel as she put the pile in a large plate.
"There, this should be enough to satisfy Fel." She said before she got to work on her portion as well as Absol's who was taking a small nap. Though she was starting to miss the taste of rice.
'I'm really starting to miss the taste of rice even though I get to eat them at times back home.' She thought, a wave of homesickness crashing down on her.
She opened the online grocery to check the different pages.
'But if I want to start cooking that... Then I'll need another gas stove, which means laying out more money.' She thought as Fel decided to take a nap to wait.
'Oh well, I'm sure it'll be worth it.' She picked the same brand of the gas stove and a rice pot to cook the rice as she purchased it.
A light appeared and the same box appeared before landing on the ground with a thud. Alice walked to it but paused. She almost forgot to buy the important thing when cooking rice and it was the rice grains.
"Oops. Almost forgot the most important item of all." She changed the page of the online grocery and purchased the rice grains.
She had prepared the rice and put it on the new stove as the smell woke Fel up as he sniffed the air. It wasn't meat but it still smells good. He lifted his head to see what his mistress was doing.
"So, ready?" He asked her but she just smiled and adjusted the fire to a low heat on the rice since it was almost done.
"Just need a little more time to cook it up." She told him patiently before she set the frying pan on her first one and now she began her cooking.
Once the pan was hot enough, she put one slice of meat in the heated pan and it started to sizzle. She made sure to cover it thinly with the essence of a sitrus berry to see how Fel would react.
'Listen to that exquisite sizzle.' Alice smiled as she closed her eyes, taking in the smell of the meat.
'Nothing more heavenly than the smell of frying meat with a bit of Sitrus Berry coating it lightly.'
She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and used it to flip the meat so the other side can be cooked.
'Now personally, I only ate steaks one time and I like it prepared medium. But Fel would probably prefer rare.' She thought as she looked at Fel who was drooling which made her laugh in amusement.
She was soon done and put the Red Boar Steak in Fel's plate.
"Great, now we plate it and add the finishing touch.' She took out a sauce bottle and coated the meat at the perfect amount with the garlic flavored steak soy sauce from the online grocery.
She set it down on a crate and Fel looked excited as Absol woke up and Alice gave him his share too.
"Eat up, guys." She said and the two didn't hesitate to dig in and Absol was absolutely loving it as he ate the meat happily and he could vaguely taste the Sitrus Berry too!
Fel didn't waste any time as he chomped down on it and a burst of flavor exploded in his taste buds. The sauce coating the meat was his personal favorite but there was something else. It was with the meat and it was well balanced too. A mix of sweetness to it with a sour undertone along with spiciness and dryness of it but it was a perfect blend along with the sauce.
"It's delicious. Bring me more." He told Alice excitedly and she just smiled. Looks like he tasted a bit of Sitrus Berry there.
"Yeah, sure, Fel." She smiled as she got to it.
She prepared the next one and he bit into it before he paused, noting the different flavor than the first one as he looked at her in surprise, meat between his teeth.
"It tastes different than the first one." He admitted as Alice observed him on how he reacted to the new flavor.
"Noticed, huh?" She asked as she showed him the two bottles she used.
"The first steak sauce I used was garlic flavored but I coated the meat with a bit of Sitrus Berry juice. This one's graded daikon." She said, showing him which flavor he tasted first earlier before showing him the second bottle she used as Fel swallowed the meat first.
"So you have different flavors along with this... Sitrus Berry?" Fel asked her curiously, licking the sauce on his face. What is a Sitrus Berry?
Alice nodded before she used a third sauce and poured it on the third meat before putting the last sauce on the fourth meat.
"This one's onion flavored." She showed him.
"How about the truffle flavored next?" Alice suggested and backed up and watched as he scarfed them down immediately and his eyes glinted in surprise and impressed.
The meat was still the same but can taste so different with the sauces she used.
"That the same meat could be made to taste so different. Remarkable." He said as he flicked the sauce mess he made as Absol came to Alice as she petted his head, glad that he liked his share of the meal.
"I desire another serving of the first flavor." He told her as she looked at him with a smile. She kept an eye on the rice as she made him another serving of the garlic flavored one.
"Garlic, you mean?" She asked with a smile.
"You like that one?" Alice started to prepare him the dish again but this time, she won't let him eat just the meat.
"Quite." Fel nodded. He couldn't help but agree that he liked the first flavor though he was curious on where that second flavor that the meat was lightly coated came from.
"Garlic it is, then." She soon served him the dish and she surprised him when he saw sliced looking fruits on the side. He first ate the meat before the sliced fruits and found that it tasted just like the one coating the meat lightly. So this was Sitrus Berry?! It's so refreshing and washes down the meat!
Alice smiled, watching him eat before she turned to the pot. It should be done now.
"It should be about ready." She said as she turned off the gas stove before lifting the lid of the pot and smiled happily. The rice is cooked now and she can finally eat.
She grabbed a spare plate and put enough rice in it before putting some meat on it.
'You take thinly sliced steak, layer it over freshly steamed rice, drizzle it with steak sauce. And you got yourself a sitrus-glazed red boar steak bowl.'
{Sitrus-Glazed Red Boar Steak Bowl}
Alice took the first bite and was delighted that the meat was super delicious with a bit of Sitrus Berry juice mixed into it. She had berry jam from the berries using bread and dessert but coating the meat with it takes it to a whole new level!
'The umami and oil from the meat glazed with Sitrus Berry pair so well with the rice drenched in steak sauce.' Alice started to eat heartily as Absol had finished his dinner earlier and had his fill but Fel was curious about what Alice was eating. He wants some of the meal she was eating.
"That looks tasty. Feed it to me at once." He told her as she looked up at him in disbelief but did so since there was a lot of rice. There was no way she could eat all of it. She shared the rest of the rice with Fel after getting another plate full of rice for herself as they ate dinner together.
After a hearty dinner, Alice started to clean up as Absol was observing his trainer and Fel from the corner of his eye as Fel groomed his paws as Alice used the water she got from the well to wash everything that was used.
"For so long I've labored under the belief that grains were inedible. Yet that dish was outstanding." He couldn't help but compliment her as Alice was glad that he enjoyed it as much as she does.
"Wasn't it? Rice is truly incredible. And I can still eat it here in another world, thanks to my online grocery skill." She told him before putting everything away in her item box. She bid Absol and Fel goodnight before she entered the inn.
She sighed in relief as she lay down on the bed of the room she rented. The meal was simply fulfilling and she can finally sleep in a bed now after travelling from Kiels with Iron Will.
"I can finally get to sleep in a bed again." Alice said softly before she stared at the ceiling.
"Getting past the border and registering for the guild? Man, what a jam-packed day..." She muttered tiredly before she remembered as she sat up, rummaging through her bag. She knows she bought something back at Kiels.
"But before I sleep, I better prepare for tomorrow."
The next day, the guild was mostly empty aside from the staff who were cleaning up for the morning as she entered the guild.
"Good morning." She greeted them warmly as they paused and were surprised to see someone coming in early as Michaela smiled.
"Oh, good morning, Alice." Michaela greeted her back.
Alice set down a slightly large pouch along with a jar covered with a cloth at the top and a slightly smaller one that was filled with berries used for healing.
"I promised I'd be back to sell my wares and here I am." She said, presenting Michaela the items she had chosen to sell.
"This is what I got." Michaela looked at the items curiously and she was impressed with the amount. Usually newly registered merchants would sell at least two or so items but three items looked so impressive.
"Allow me to have a look." She told her before she opened the pouch to see the contents and what she saw made her gasp softly in shock and surprise. The smell was enough to confirm what it was. How did this young girl get it? No, she must inform the guild master immediately.
"I see. One moment, please." She said as she hurried off somewhere as Alice watched in concern and confusion as she looked at the brunette who was confused as well.
'Uh-oh, this might have been a bad idea.' Alice thought nervously. Did she do something wrong? She looked at the items she was selling.
"Alice!" Alice looked up along with the other girl as Michaela came back.
"Thank you for your patience. Please, this way, to the back." Michaela said, gesturing to the door that was at the end of the small hallway by the stairs. Alice was confused about what she meant. Did something happen?
She followed Michaela with the items to the door where it led to an office with an older man sitting down on one of the couches.
Michaela instructed her to present the items to the person who she learned was the guildmaster and she did so immediately, watching nervously as the older man inspected each items. He first checked the peppers, sniffing them before he checked the salt, inspecting them closely before checking the berries she had brought as well before looking at Alice who was watching nervously as he took off his spectacles.
"I'm going to be perfectly honest with you, young lady. I've been a guildmaster for many years now. And never before have I seen salt and pepper of such high quality along with these berries." The guildmaster said honestly and Alice was dumbfounded. The salt and pepper were high quality and the berries too?
"It's so magnificent it could be presented to royalty as a gift." That surprised her a lot but she felt relieved since he didn't reject the items she presented.
"Please allow me to purchase all you have." The guildmaster said with a smile.
"How kind of you-" Alice started but the question the guildmaster asked next made her tense with nervousness.
"Please tell me, where did you find such remarkable merchandise?" He asked her and she forced a smile. She only got them from her online grocery and she had too many berries on her so selling some wouldn't hurt and the salt and pepper only cost her 5 copper coins each item from the online grocery.
"I used my online grocery skill! This stuff comes from another world so its quality is guaranteed! And I only spent 5 copper coins each! Pretty cool, right?"
Yeah, no way was she just gonna say that!
"Uh, I found it while I was traveling." She said meekly. She can't let them know about her unique skill.
"Of course, forgive me. Revealing such information would be detrimental to your business as a merchant." The guildmaster apologized, understanding in his tone which helped Alice become relieved.
"Now let's move on to discussing the purchase price, shall we?" He suddenly grew serious, tone taking on a business tone.
"Four gold coins for the salt, another ten for the pepper and eight for the berries. Do we have a deal?" The guildmaster said and Alice was surprised. 22 gold coins?
'No way... They only cost me five copper coins a piece and the berries were in my bag when I arrived here!' She thought in disbelief.
'I heard that a long time ago, pepper was considered to be worth its weight in gold. But really?!'
Alice was still in shock as she thought it over. 22 gold coins is enough of a quick cash though but the guildmaster took her silence as a refusal.
"I was afraid that would be too low." The guildmaster said as Alice looked at him in shock. She wasn't gonna deny the price and what did he mean that it would be too low?!
"Alright then, in that case, 25 gold coins total for the three of them!" The guildmaster increased the amount which shocked Alice more.
'He raised the price! Was he afraid I'd turn him down?' Alice thought in disbelief.
"Hey, sir, listen-" She started but was cut off.
"Very well! 26 gold coins!" The price increased once more much to her shock.
'He did it again!' She thought in disbelief.
"Fine, 27 cold coins! I can't go any higher than that!" The guildmaster yelled and Alice had to stop him before he even increased the price.
"Done! Just stop yelling, please!" She exclaimed before they finally reached an agreement as Alice looked at the items.
'I turn 10 copper coins along with the berries into 27 gold ones?! Seriously?!' She thought in shock as Michaela came back with the coins from the purchase.
"Pleasure doing business." Alice counted the coins she had received from the items and was satisfied. It was a lot compared to her previous 20 gold coins as she smiled in satisfaction.
'I'd better not risk turning this kind of profit on a regular basis. That said, I am thankful for the quick cash.' She thought wearily as she put the coin pouch in her bag. With her business at the Merchant's Guild done, she exited the building.
'This ought to last me for quite some time.' She looked up and back up slightly, letting some Adventurers walk passed as she watched them.
'Only one thing left to take care of.' There was one more thing she needed to take care of.
After asking around, she found the Adventurer's Guild with a sign as she inhaled to steel her nerves.
'So this is the Adventurer's Guild.' She thought as she looked at the sign before she opened the door and entered the building and she could already feel eyes from the other adventurers on her. They were eyeing her, sizing her up but she won't that affect her. It felt way too familiar like when she was gonna go up against the Elite 4 and the Tunod Champion.
'I can feel their eyes on me. But if this is what I have to do to keep Fel, my Pokémon and myself fed, then so be it.' She thought as she approached the desk where a bored looking woman named Vianca was stationed.
"Hello. I'd like to register, please." She said as Vianca turned to her, boredom and disinterest in her eyes.
Vianca slid a sheet of paper on the table and pointed at it.
"Fill this out." She said as Alice took a pen and started to fill out the application.
'Let me see here. Name; Alice. Weapon; Short Sword, I guess. And I have a familiar if you can call my Pokémon familiars, of course.' She checked the application before filling the blanked lines. She had left one of Pokémon alone with Fel to keep him company while she was out and she can see how Fel sees Eevee as a cub with how small she is.
She handed the filled form to Vianca who took it before tossing a bronze colored card at her along with a needle and she caught it quickly.
"Drop the blood and put it on this card." She instructed her as Alice stared at her in disbelief but she did so as she pricked her finger and dropped her blood on the car and she put her finger in her mouth after handing Vianca the card back.
Vianca came back after and handed her the bronze card back with the official stamp on it.
"Okay, you're registered." Vianca said as Alice took the card and examined it, glad to finally be able to find people to help her with the meat problem but to do quests too.
"You'll start at the lowest rank, G. That means you can only accept quests with a ranking of G or F. Have fun." Vianca said dismissively and Alice blinked. Was that it? Shouldn't she explain how the guild works like when Michaela explained what the Merchant's Guild is.
"Wait, so you're not gonna explain how the guild works?" Alice asked her as Vianca looks confused and a bit annoyed.
"How it works?" She asked her.
"You know, the ranks and the quests and everything." Alice clarified, causing Vianca to sigh but she started to explain how the guild works.
"We have seven ranks, first S then A through G. Your membership has a validation period. G-Rankers need to accept at least one quest a month." Vianca started to explain.
"One a month. Got it." Alice muttered softly. So she has to accept any quests on the G or F ranks so her application won't go to waste.
"Also, if you get hurt or killed while on a job, rest assured, the guild takes no responsibility." She said as Alice gulped.
"I see." She said sheepishly.
'To put it more succinctly, adventurers are totally on their own.' She thought but she felt a bit calm now. She has Fel and her Pokémon with her.
She soon went to a quest board where different quests were nailed to it and several adventurers were looking at each quests to see which ones to accept.
"Let's see now." She started to search the quest board on which quest she can accept. She could accept a monster subjugation quest but she wants to play it safe for now.
"G, come on. Where are you, G? Oh, a quest to gather medicinal herbs." Alice smiled as she reached up and grabbed it as she looked at the quest.
"I'll head out and start gathering tomorrow then." She smiled before she left the guild to head back to the inn to make lunch.
She found Fel and Eevee lounging on by the stables while Eevee was trying to catch Fel's tail. Fel stood up once she came back as she was reviewing the quest.
"I am hungry." He said as Eevee jumped onto her head as she smiled at them.
"I'm on it." She said as she prepared everything to make lunch for them.
"I desire the steak from yesterday along with that Sitrus Berry." Fel told her as Alice smiled as she heated up the pan.
"You really are a fan of that steak sauce and Sitrus Berry, aren't you?" She couldn't help but ask as Eevee pushed a Sitrus Berry to Fel and he accepted it as she munched on one happily, fluffy tail with a flower pattern wagging.
"I permit you to serve it daily." He said which made her snort.
"No way, Fel. That would be too boring. And there are even more delicious things we could along with different berries." She told him and Fel became curious and shock. What did she say?
"Hold on. Did I hear you correctly?" Fel questioned her, intrigued in his eyes.
"There are things more delicious than steak and there are different berries like the Sitrus?" He asked and Alice didn't deny it with Eevee squeaking an answer, tail wagging happily. She can be more open to Fel about her world than others if she's being honest. He was trustworthy.
"Of course there is. But let's go ahead and have steak for now. I can make you something different tomorrow." Alice said as she served the two lunch and Eevee immediately dig in and Fel followed suit.
"I look forward to it." He said before he chomped on the meat, eating it while chewing heartily.
"This is still delicious though." He admitted though he was talking with his mouth full.
"It's not polite to talk with your mouth full, you know." Alice chided him instinctively which made him smirk a little in amusement as he swallowed, licking his chomps in delight.
Alice was cooking the next batch before she remembered something.
'Wait, now that I think about it... Didn't I read from the books Luke showed me that garlic is dangerous for normal cats and dogs to eat? Let me use appraisal.' She thought worriedly as a spike of anxiety surged through her as she used appraisal on Fel to see his status while he eats but what she saw shocked her.
"Ooh, delicious." Fel gobbled down another steak as Eevee ate hers, tearing at the meat.
"Are you serious?" Alice muttered in shock.
'His stats, they're all pretty much maxed out, aren't they?' She stared at Fel's stats in shock and awe. His level is insanely high as well as his status and the number of attack skills that he has is insane and he can even use appraisal like her.
[Name] Fel
[Age] 1014
[Race] Fenrir
[Level] 906 [Strength] 9843
[Magic] 9481 [Defense] 9765
[Attack] 9036 [Agility] 9684
[Skill] Wind Magic, Fire Magic, Water Magic, Earth Magic, Ice Magic, Lightning Magic, Sacred Magic, Barrier Magic, Rending Claws, Body Reinforcement, Magic Attack Resistance, Appraisal
"Hey, Fel." She called him as he looked to her curiously as his status box disappeared.
"You're something else. Did you know that?" Alice said truthfully as he was confused and curious by what she meant.
"I'm very well aware of it, as a matter of fact." He told her with his mouth full before swallowing.
'And yet somehow when I look at you, all I can see is a gluttonous foodie who can rival a Snorlax.' She thought with a small smile as she chuckled and he looked at her when he heard her chuckle.
"What is it?" He asked her curiously but she waved him off, still chuckling.
"Nothing at all." She said as Fel let out a yawn as Eevee jumped on Alice's head after lunch.